2026
701st Olympiad
Year 2
The calendar commonly used by the modern Hellenic communities is the Athenian, aka the Attik Calendar, referring to the general region of ancient Greece where Athens resided.
Each month's New Moon phase possesses a number of Holy Days, starting on the first Day of the New Moon, with each one being a specific time of sacrifice to certain Gods or a particular God, Spirit or Hero. They are as follows:
First Day (Noumenia, meaning New Moon) - All Gods and specifically the Household Gods, and Apollon Noumenios and Selene.
Second Day - Agathos Daimon.
Third Day- Athene.
Fourth Day- Aphrodite, Eros, Hermes and Herakles. Some Hellenists also include Zeus and Hera on this Day.
Sixth Day- Artemis.
Seventh Day - Apollon.
Eighth Day - Poseidon and Theseus.
Ninth Day - Helios, the Muses, and Rhea.
Last 3 Days - All Chthonic Gods.
Last Day - Hekate.
While some Hellenists or organizations may begin these observances on the first of each month, our temple begins them when the New Moon is visible in our Sky. During Holy Days, you can also include other Divinities, Spirits and/or Heroes who are relevant to the Gods in honor. For example, on the Holy Day of Artemis, you can also pour a libation to the Forest Nymphs and Atalante.
The Attik Calendar follows a 12 month period, and each month is specifically named for its purpose. The year on the Attik Calendar actually begins with Hekatombaion (July).
January - Gamelion (Marriage or Wedding)
8th, sacrifices to Apollon Apotropaeus, Nymphegetes, and the Nymphs.
9th, sacrifice to Athene.
12th, Lenea, Festival of Dionysos.
16th, Lenea ends.
27th, Theogamia, Zeus and Hera's marriage celebration, with additional sacrifices to Kourotrophos, Zeus Teleius, and Poseidon.
February - Anthesterion (The Blooming Time)
2nd, sacrifice to Dionysos.
11th - 13th, Anthesteria, Festival of Dionysos.
23rd, Diasia, Festival of Zeus Meilichios.
March - Elaphebolion (Deer Slayer)
6th, Elaphebolia, Festival of Artemis Elaphebolos.
8th, Festival of Asklepios.
10th - 17th, the Great Dionysia.
April - Mounikhion (The Hill of Munichia)
4th, Feast of Eros.
16th, Mounikhia, Festival of Artemis.
19th, Olympieia, Festival of Zeus.
May - Thargelion (First Loaf or Pot of Grain)
4th, sacrifices to Leto, Pythian Apollon, Zeus, Hermes, and The Dioskouroi.
6th, sacrifice to Demeter.
6th - 7th, Thargelia, Festival of Artemis and Apollon.
16th, sacrifice to Zeus Epacrios.
25th, Plunteria, Festival of Athene.
June - Skirophorion (Bearing the Sacred Objects)
12th, Skiraphoria, Women's Grain Festival of Demeter.
14th, Dipolieia, Festival of Zeus.
July - Hekatombaion (Offering of 100)
July, sometimes late June, is the beginning of the ancient Greek New Year.
4th, Aphrodisia, Festival of Aphrodite and Peitho.
15th, Celebration of the Unification of Attika.
28th, Panathenaia.
August - Metageitnion (Change of Neighborhood)
15th, Games of Eleusis.
16th, sacrifice to Hekate and Artemis.
18th, Games end.
20th, sacrifice to Hera Thelchinia.
25th, sacrifice to Zeus Epoptes.
September - Boedromion (Divine Aid)
5th, Genesia, Festival of the Dead.
6th, Kharisteria, sacrifice to Artemis Agrotera.
7th, Boidromia, Thanksgiving to Apollon.
18th, Epidauria, Festival of Asklepios.
27th, sacrifice to the Nymphs, Achelous, Hermes, Athene, and Gaia.
October - Pyanepsion (Cooking of the Beans)
5th, Proerosia, Festival of Demeter.
7th, Puanepsia, Festival of Apollon.
8th, Theseia, Festival of Theseus.
11th, Thesmophoria, Women's Festival of Demeter and Persephone.
13th, festival ends.
14th, sacrifice to the Heroines.
30th, Khalkeia, Festival of Hephaistos and Athene.
November - Maimakterion (of the Storm)
21st - 30th, Pompaia, Festival of Zeus Meilikhios, honors to Hermes.
December - Poseideon (Poseidon)
8th, Poseidea, Festival of Poseidon.
16th, sacrifice to Zeus Horios.
19th, Festival of Dionysos.
26th, Haloa, Festival of Dionysos and Demeter.
31st, festival ends.
In ancient Greece, years were divided into what is called The Olympiad, which marked the 4 year period between each Olympic Games. The Olympics first began in 776 BCE, and each 4 year period after that began a new cycle. Modern Hellenists use The Olympiad, in part, to establish a global timeline. It allows us to track seasonal festivals and leap years where they are necessary. The Olympiad also allows us to have a unified practice in the world by stepping outside of modern calendars that do not accurately serve the times of ancient Greece.
A leap year occurs when the following happens: If the 12th month ends before the Summer Solstice. In that case, the Month of Poseideon will be celebrated twice, called Poseideon II. To find out when this happens, you must do the following: If the Dark Moon in June occurs in a year before June 21st, add the second Month of Poseideon that year.
When this happens, the Month of Poseideon is celebrated a second time, but not by leaving out Gamelion in January. Gamelion can be started later because the Greek calendar is not as rigid as our modern system. After the first Month of Poseideon is finished, start the second one at the next New Moon for 30 Days. During this time, celebrate only the New Moon Holy Days. When the next New Moon rises, start Gamelion. The extended Poseideon acts in honor of Poseidon because it is dedicated to Him because you keep Him in mind and devotion.
Temple Festivals
March 20th, Festival of Persephone.
May 16th, Spring Festival of Artemis.
June 12th, Festival of Ajax.
June 21st, Festival of Helios.
September 22nd, Festival of Demeter.
October 31st, Festival of Haides.
December 21st, Festival of Kheimon.
Sources:
Alexander Jay, Timothy, A Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos, LuLu, 2007.
Winter, K.I. Sarah, Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored, United States, CreateSpace, 2008, 2019.
Labrys – For The Resurgence Of The Sacred Hearth Of Hellenism, Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship, Athens, Greece, 2014.
